Christopher Dumlerhttp://www.readthehook.com/taxonomy/term/6098/all
enApology tour: Can Dumler remorse salvage supe seat?http://www.readthehook.com/109210/apology-tour-can-dumlers-remorse-keep-him-bos
<p>Scottsville Supervisor Chris Dumler is a cad. He doesn't like that description&#8211; and he's been called worse&#8211; but says, "I wouldn't say that's an unfair characterization." This is on February 27, the day he releases a statement and makes the rounds of media interviews, apologizing for what he calls "inappropriate" behavior, one month after pleading guilty to sexual battery. The case has ignited a firestorm&#8211; one that's jumped the pond to the <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2285436/Outrage-Democratic-county-official-Chris-Dumler-guilty-forcible-sodomy-refuses-resign.html"><em>Daily Mail</em></a> in Britain&#8211; and threatens his term on the Board of Supervisors.</p>
<p>On February 28, <a href="http://www.wina.com/pages/podcast/121609.rss">Dumler spoke to WINA's Coy Barefoot</a>, who beseeched Dumler to "do the right thing and resign." A caller named Meredith said she was the victim and found his apologies insincere and his statements a "slap in the face." Said Meredith, "I want my voice."</p>
<p>Dumler admits he has a history of treating women badly, including his girlfriend, whom he cheated on in the encounter that led to him being charged with forcible sodomy last fall. "I've been disrespectful and discourteous," he says of his M.O. with the opposite sex. "My current girlfriend&#8211; I obviously treated her very badly."</p>
<p>And then there's the victim. "The legality or illegally of any of this notwithstanding, I acted inappropriately and I would like to make a formal apology to her," says Dumler, who is himself a criminal defense attorney. "Obviously, my actions&#8211; as evidenced by her reaction&#8211; left her upset and distressed, and I certainly never meant for that to happen; I am sincerely sorry."</p>
<p>The apologies don't stop there. There's also one for his fellow board members and Albemarle County staff. "I'm very sorry for having put them in that situation," he says, referring to the recent board meetings that started with a line-up of citizens urging Dumler to resign in appeals ranging from the well-modulated to a tirade containing the f-word that resulted in being hauled out of Lane Auditorium.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Finally, there's remorse to his constituents. "I know I have violated that public trust," he says. "All I can do is work to mend those fences and rebuild that trust."</p>
<p>Since Dumler pleaded guilty to misdemeanor sexual battery January 31, the outrage&#8211; and drama&#8211; continues to swell. Following the February 25 meeting from which protester Jamie Morgan was ejected after running to the podium and screaming, "He's rolling his eyes. He's rolling his f**king eyes," Dumler's usual allies on the board, Democrat Ann Mallek and independent Dennis Rooker, both now say it's time for him to go.</p>
<p>"I think their concern is a valid one," concedes Dumler.</p>
<p>Nonetheless, he's adamant that he's not resigning&#8211; at least when he talks to the <em>Hook</em> on February 27. "That would be unfair to the citizens of the Scottsville district to be punished for my lapse in judgment," he says.</p>
<p>"When he says he has a responsibility to the people of Scottsville," said WINA caller Amanda, "that was before he raped my sister. Let me tell you straight up&#8211; that man raped my sister."</p>
<p>There's been some buzz that Dumler would resign if he could choose his successor. "I can't comment on that," he says. "I decided not to go that route."</p>
<p>Instead, he explains, it would be unfair to his constituents to leave them with an unelected official unfamiliar with much of the critical county business that needs to be conducted, such as the $300 million budget and the comprehensive plan.</p>
<p>While he's clearing the air on the criminal charges that spawned this unprecedented mess, the beleaguered supe maintains he would have been acquitted at trial if he could have afforded another $40,000 to defend himself.</p>
<p>"I would rather be bankrupt having fought for my name than to take a plea deal," said an impassioned Barefoot on-air. "I would rather be on the street asking for food and money than take a plea deal."</p>
<p>Fluvanna Commonwealth's Attorney Jeff Haislip, who was appointed special prosecutor on the case, calls it "unfortunate" that a month after the plea agreement, Dumler is still releasing information to the press and making claims that he would have won the case.</p>
<p>"To say he only pleaded guilty because of the money is disrespectful of the victims," says Haislip.</p>
<p>"All I'll say from the commonwealth's attorney's office is, we only bring charges we believe the person accused committed," says Haislip. He also acknowledges, "He-said she-said cases are very tough."</p>
<p>According to the plea agreement, there are two additional victims and no other charges will be brought against Dumler in those cases. Haislip says the two women who contacted him were kept apprised of and agreed to the plea&#8211; and that Charlottesville Commonwealth's Attorney Dave Chapman signed off on it as well.</p>
<p>"It's disrespectful to them to make it seem like they were silenced," maintains Haislip.</p>
<p>He also says the requirement Dumler have a psychosexual evaluation and apologize were necessary "so the victim wouldn't feel like it was a baseless claim."</p>
<p>Supervisor Ken Boyd is one of those not swayed by Dumler's apologies. "He looks a little phony," says the Rivanna supe. "The more I look at it, it seems disingenuous. He seems like a disingenuous person."</p>
<p>Dumler is causing problems for the other supervisors with all the email they're getting, says Boyd. "We've never had to remove someone from the auditorium before," he notes of the February 25 ejection.</p>
<p>"His constituents are bypassing him," continues Boyd. "We're already seeing he can't do his job. That'll be important when it gets to a judge."</p>
<p>Victim Meredith told Coy Barefoot that watching her personal trauma become a political fiasco has been devastating.</p>
<p>"The way the Democratic party of Albemarle has reacted to this is sickening to me," she said, noting that she has voted all-Democrat in every election and feels betrayed by the party she believed stood for women's and victims' rights. In particular, she calls out Ann Mallek and Cynthia Neff for standing up for him&#8211; although Mallek called for his censure.</p>
<p>As for working a deal to appoint a Democrat to keep the board's 3-3 split and entice Dumler to resign, says Republican Boyd, "I'm totally opposed to that. I'm opposed to anything but an open and transparent process. We go through that process all the time with appointing people to the planning commission or architectural board. We don't ask political affiliation."</p>
<p>"It's fine for Ken to say there won't be a deal," says independent Supervisor Dennis Rooker. "But he can't make Chris resign."</p>
<p>Rooker says he's always privately encouraged Dumler to resign. "It would be better for Chris and the county for him to resign," he says. "I've told him that several times."</p>
<p>Rooker believes that if a replacement were found who will uphold issues Dumler supports and has promised to champion, such as limiting growth in the rural areas, "in my opinion, he will be comfortable and resign," says Rooker.</p>
<p>The day he speaks with a reporter, Rooker gets a message from someone who says, "Thank you for keeping Chris Dumler on the board until a suitable replacement is found so all your work isn't undone."</p>
<p>The calls and emails Rooker has received reflect a variety of viewpoints, he says. And of the 13 people who spoke out against Dumler at the February 25 meeting, observes Rooker, "I think those who were most vociferous were city residents."</p>
<p>He adds, "The ball is in Chris's court."</p>
<p>In Earl Smith's court, the originator of the petition for removal, are 299 signatures of Scottsville district citizens to fire Dumler&#8211; 73 short of the minimum required for legal action. Smith admits he's a little frustrated that with all the people calling for a Dumler ouster, only a handful are actually helping him collect the signatures needed to do so through the only avenue afforded by Virginia law.</p>
<p>"I'm not stopping until I get all I need," he vows.</p>
<p>Smith says he doesn't belong to a political party or group, including the Occupiers or Tea Partiers, who want Dumler out.</p>
<p>The Keene resident saw Dumler on television apologizing.&nbsp;"I won't say he wasn't sincere, but I didn't get that feeling," says Smith. "When he says no one can take his place, that's self-serving. My reaction? That arrogant rascal is at it again."</p>
<p>Victim Meredith isn't buying the apologies either, which she calls "emotionless and insincere" on WINA and says he's only doing it because it's part of the plea deal that he requested.</p>
<p>"One of the biggest regrets I have right now is not going through the trial," she says.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><em>Correction 3/4/13: Ken Boyd's Rivanna district was incorrectly identified in the original story.&nbsp; </em></p>
http://www.readthehook.com/109210/apology-tour-can-dumlers-remorse-keep-him-bos#comments_BreakingNewsFeaturedAlbemarle Board of SupervisorsChristopher DumlerOnline onlyThu, 28 Feb 2013 22:15:55 +0000lisa109210 at http://www.readthehook.comDumler dilemma: County Dems in disarray over sexual battery convictionhttp://www.readthehook.com/109163/dumler-dilemma-county-dems-disarray-over-sexual-batterer
<p>On paper it must have looked good. Instead of being convicted of felony forcible sodomy, which would remove him from the Board of Supervisors, Chris Dumler would plead guilty to misdemeanor sexual battery so he could get on with serving the people of his Scottsville District.</p>
<p>It hasn't worked out that way.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<div class="sidebar">
<h2>Related stories</h2>
<p><a href="http://www.readthehook.com/109107/censured-former-current-supes-call-dumer-resign">Censured: Former, current supes call for Dumler to resign</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.readthehook.com/109077/dumler-pleads-supe-gets-30-days-sexual-battery">Dumler pleads: Supe gets 30 days for sexual battery</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.readthehook.com/108293/dumler-arrested-county-supervisor-charged-sodomy">Dumler arrested: County Supervisor charged with forcible sodomy</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.readthehook.com/108359/bail-set-dumler-must-raise-50k-and-forfeit-alcohol">Bail set: Dumler must raise $50K and forfeit al</a>cohol</p>
<p><a href="http://www.readthehook.com/108624/breaking-silence-dumler-fight-charge-stay-board">Breaking silence: Dumler to fight charge, stay on Board</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.readthehook.com/108729/dumler-back-action">Dumler back in action</a></p></div>
<p>Since Dumler, 27, took the January 31 plea, which includes 30 days in jail, the calls for his removal have not gone away. At the first supervisors meeting after his conviction, the board censured him unanimously and three board members passed a resolution calling for him to resign. Former supervisors scolded him for not disappearing in shame after his conviction, and one citizen started a petition to get him removed from office.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>The Sexual Assault Resource Agency called upon him to resign immediately. "By his own admission, he has sexually abused at least one woman against her will," said the SARA statement. "This is a serious crime and a violation of the trust the community placed in him by electing him to office.</p>
<p>Dumler was supposed to speak at the Democratic breakfast February 16, an appearance that was cancelled by an alleged death threat, according to local media accounts, which also reported two protesters at the meeting were thrown out for their disruptive calls to lose Dumler.</p>
<p>Dumler did not return phone calls from the <em>Hook</em>.</p>
<p>How are Albemarle Democrats dealing with the continuing controversy about their once-rising star?</p>
<p>Requests for comment to four members of the county party steering committee yielded zero returned calls.</p>
<p>"You people aren't being very nice to our community or our party," says an unidentified woman who answered the phone at the residence of a Scottsville party official. "The more you stir it, the worse it looks. You should just leave it alone."</p>
<p>The <em>Hook</em> ran into Albemarle Dem chair Valerie L'Herrou and vice-chair Cynthia Neff at Albemarle General District Court February 19. Neff, who posted $50,000 bond for Dumler and defended him at the last BOS meeting, was in court to face her own charge of driving under the influence from October. She declined to comment about party matters after she was convicted and on her way out of the building.</p>
<p>L'Herrou, an attorney with the public defender's office, was on her way to court and said, "We're having meetings. We're not ignoring the situation. We're trying to figure it out."</p>
<p>Sources describe an organization in turmoil, with a lot of people, particularly women, having a problem with a man convicted of sexual battery remaining in office.</p>
<p>"I think it's unfortunate that both parties are looking at this as a political issue rather than criminal activity or fitness for office," says former Charlottesville mayor/City Councilor Dave Norris.</p>
<p>The Albemarle board is currently split 3-3 on many issues, and losing Dumler from the Dem-leaning camp would give Republicans Ken Boyd, Duane Snow, who made the motion that Dumler resign, and Rodney Thomas a 3-2 advantage,</p>
<p>"The Democrats are afraid to lose one seat," says Norris. "The Republicans smell blood. Neither party is coming out looking very good with this partisanship."</p>
<p>Norris notes the irony of some Democrats trying to minimize the sexual battery conviction, which Dumler said he took because he couldn't afford to fight the felony charge, and of Republicans defending women. "If the roles were reversed," says Norris, "[Democrats] would be calling for his head."</p>
<p>Norris, a city Democrat, declines to offer an opinion on whether Dumler should resign. "Chris has a decision to make," he says. "He's got to decide whether to stay in office and in the public turmoil versus standing down and reassessing."</p>
<p>He does make one prediction: "This isn't going to die. I can foresee the county Democratic leadership having a come-to-Jesus discussion with Chris."</p>
<p>"His remaining on the board is a distraction from the important business of the board," says Charlottesville School Board member/Dem Jennifer McKeever. "As a citizen, it's difficult to understand."</p>
<p>She mentions the joint city/county Democratic breakfast at which Dumler had been scheduled to speak that had to be changed. "It's a distraction," she says.</p>
<p>The Jefferson Area Tea Party joined the clamor for Dumler to resign February 18, citing his constituents who say they're afraid to contact Dumler, which leaves them without representation and puts an additional burden on the other supervisors.</p>
<p>"If constituents cannot or will not meet with Mr. Dumler on issues of county business because he has entered a guilty plea to a criminal sexual offense, then he cannot fulfill the obligations of his position to his constituents," says the Tea Party statement.</p>
<p>"As a public figure myself," says McKeever, "I want to be able to go to constituents. When I see a barrier, that's worrisome."</p>
<p>Keene resident Earl Smith is the man circulating the petition to remove Dumler from office, and he, too, has had friends say they don't want to be in the same room with Dumler, and say their wives don't want to be either.</p>
<p>Smith says he's bothered by the number of women who've made allegations against Dumler, and that the plea agreement precludes two other women from bringing charges. "I don't like the fact that I didn't get to hear it all," he says.</p>
<p>Dumler reportedly has said that he would sign Smith's petition, and that angers Smith. "That's just arrogance," he says. "He should publicly apologize for the embarrassment he's brought this community."</p>
<p>Smith, who says he's an independent, says he's had Democrats come and sign the petition. "They say they hate going against the party, but this is against women," he says.</p>
<p>And as an indicator of how roiled Scottsville is over the Dumler matter, Smith also maintains he's had five women come ask him why he's circulating the petition.</p>
<p>Unlike California, which has a history of recalling elected officials, petitioning to remove someone from office is relatively untested in Virginia, according to Smith. He must collect 372 signatures&#8211; 10 percent of those who voted in 2011 in the Scottsville district&#8211; and turn them in to the clerk of circuit court. A judge determines whether Dumler has misused his office, and while smoking pot could get an official booted from office, says Smith, the code does not mention misdemeanor sex crimes.</p>
<p>So far, he's collected around 200 signatures and estimates that friends circulating petitions may have another 20 to 60 signatures. He's determined to continue.</p>
<p>"It's a sex crime," declares Smith. "It's not a DUI."</p>
http://www.readthehook.com/109163/dumler-dilemma-county-dems-disarray-over-sexual-batterer#comments_BreakingNewsFeaturedChristopher DumlerNewsTue, 19 Feb 2013 16:53:53 +0000lisa109163 at http://www.readthehook.comCensured: Former, current supes call for Dumler to resignhttp://www.readthehook.com/109107/censured-former-current-supes-call-dumer-resign
<p>Christopher Dumler may have thought the worst was behind him when he pleaded guilty to misdemeanor sexual battery January 31 so he could avoid a felony conviction and remain on the Albemarle Board of Supervisors. However, it was clear February 6 the issue hadn't died when his fellow supervisors censured the Scottsville representative and two former supes called for his resignation.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
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<h2>Related stories</h2>
<p><a href="http://www.readthehook.com/109077/dumler-pleads-supe-gets-30-days-sexual-battery">Dumler pleads: Supe gets 30 days for sexual battery</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.readthehook.com/108293/dumler-arrested-county-supervisor-charged-sodomy">Dumler arrested: County Supervisor charged with forcible sodomy</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.readthehook.com/108359/bail-set-dumler-must-raise-50k-and-forfeit-alcohol">Bail set: Dumler must raise $50K and forfeit al</a>cohol</p>
<p><a href="http://www.readthehook.com/108624/breaking-silence-dumler-fight-charge-stay-board">Breaking silence: Dumler to fight charge, stay on Board</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.readthehook.com/108729/dumler-back-action">Dumler back in action</a></p>
</div>
<p>Many of those present in Lane Auditorium Wednesday morning were there to object to the Keene shooting range, an issue quickly taken off the table when Supervisor Duane Snow moved that only an indoor facility would be considered. Although the proposed firing range was in his district, Dumler, 27, had abstained from voting on the matter because of a conflict of interest, having been investigated and arrested by the police who wanted the training facility.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Snow made another motion: That Dumler resign. Three supervisors&#8211; Snow, Ken Boyd and Rodney Thomas&#8211; voted in favor of the motion.</p>
<p>Board Chair Ann Mallek introduced a motion that passed 5-0 to censure Dumler, who will serve 30 days in jail for his conviction. Dumler abstained in both votes.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Once public comment began, nearly a dozen citizens called for Dumler to resign, far outnumbering his supporters, a group that included Cynthia Neff, the former board candidate who posted Dumler's bond.</p>
<p>Former Scottville supervisor Peter Way said Dumler had "tragically failed" in his judgment of right and wrong. "He's lost his credibility," said Way, who also warned the other board members, "Your reputation as a board has been seriously damaged."</p>
<p>He was followed by another former Scottsville board member, Forrest Marshall, whose voice shook with indignation when he said, "I personally demand he leave this board." Marshall noted that other board members had not served time in jail, and called Dumler's conduct "totally, totally disrespectful."</p>
<p>Marshall cautioned that Dumler's behavior left him open to blackmail, and that other women could come forward. "I'm very much upset about this," he said.</p>
<p>Climate-change debunker Dr. Charles Battig pointed out the symbolism of the Board of Supervisors sitting on a raised dais, and said their behavior should be elevated as well.</p>
<p>Dumler originally was charged with felony forcible sodomy in October, and had he been convicted of a felony, he could have been removed from the board. Battig decried the nature of the crime. "It is time to do the right thing and step down, and not smile your way through," he urged Dumler.</p>
<p>"A vile and hurtful act occurred," said former Albemarle teacher Pat Napoleon." Just because someone is allowed to remain on the board doesn't make it okay." Napoleon, too, said, "I'm tired of viewing your smile. Tender your resignation."</p>
<p>Dumler's behavior, said Diane Weber, sent the message that getting elected to the Board of Supervisors meant a free pass to commit sexual battery. "A convicted sexual offender has no place on the Board of Supervisors."</p>
<p>"I'm here with outrage that there is an admitted sex offender sitting on this dais," echoed former Jefferson Area Tea Party chair Carole Thorpe.</p>
<p>And Earl Smith, who said he was not affiliated with any group, told the supervisors he's collecting signatures on a petition to recall Dumler, and that he needed 372 to do so. A recall petition would have to be signed by registered voters in the Scottsville district and total 10 percent of the votes cast in 2011, when Dumler won the seat.</p>
<p>Scottsville resident Dolores Rogers, who originally signed up to speak in opposition to the firing range, was one of the few to defend Dumler. She thanked him for his service, and said, "We as a nation have a long history of flawed leaders."</p>
<p>And she fired back at non-Scottsville residents calling for Dumler's resignation: "Don't tell us who should represent us."</p>
<p>The day after the meeting, despite the calls for his resignation, Dumler says, "My opinion hasn't changed after yesterday's meeting."</p>
<p><em>Updated 2/7 with Dumler response.</em></p>
http://www.readthehook.com/109107/censured-former-current-supes-call-dumer-resign#comments_BreakingNewsFeaturedAlbemarle Board of SupervisorsChristopher DumlerNewsWed, 06 Feb 2013 17:28:50 +0000lisa109107 at http://www.readthehook.comDumler pleads: Supe gets 30 days for sexual batteryhttp://www.readthehook.com/109077/dumler-pleads-supe-gets-30-days-sexual-battery
<p>Albemarle County Supervisor Christopher Dumler pleaded guilty to misdemeanor sexual battery in Albemarle County General District Court on Thursday morning January 31. He will serve 30 days behind bars.</p>
<p>"I'm very proud of the victim," said Fluvanna County Commonwealth's Attorney Jeff Haislip, who was appointed special prosecutor in the case. "We could not have done this without her courage and the others that came forward."</p>
<p>Dressed in a red sweater and dark suit, the 27-year-old Dumler, a self-employed attorney who was elected to the county Board of Supervisors representing the Scottsville district in 2011, appeared calm and smiled with his attorneys before entering the plea.</p>
<p>Dumler, originally charged with felony sexual assault and forcible sodomy stemming from an October 4 incident, did not take questions following the hearing, but his attorney, Andrew Sneathern, says the plea also calls for Dumler to undergo a full psychosexual evaluation and to issue an apology to his victim.</p>
<p>In recent weeks, a second victim came forward alleging Dumler had raped and sodomized her multiple times in the fall of 2006, when he was in his first year at UVA Law School. Sneathern declined to comment on whether that woman's allegations played a role in Dumler's decision to plead, although he affirms that the plea includes an agreement that no additional charges against Dumler will be brought. All but 60 days of the 12 month sentence was suspended, and, Sneathern says, Virginia law requires Dumler to serve only 30 days.</p>
<p>Dumler will report to Albemarle Charlottesville Regional Jail on March 8 and will serve his time on weekends, pending jail approval.</p>
<p>A call to Dumler was not immediately returned at posting time.</p>
http://www.readthehook.com/109077/dumler-pleads-supe-gets-30-days-sexual-battery#comments_BreakingNewsFeaturedChristopher DumlerNewsThu, 31 Jan 2013 15:37:54 +0000courteney109077 at http://www.readthehook.comDumler back in actionhttp://www.readthehook.com/108729/dumler-back-action
<p>Supervisor Christopher Dumler attended his first Albemarle Board of Supervisors meeting since his October 18 arrest for forcible sodomy. The accused 27-year-old attorney sipped coffee November 7 as citizens spoke out on the Keene shooting range, the western 29 Bypass, and the leash law that had ensnared hunting dogs during hunting season.</p>
<p>Much later in the meeting, the Supes voted 5-0 to approve the approximately $1.3-million police facility at the site of a former landfill in Keene. Dumler, who lives about nine miles away, abstained from the vote&#8211; though it wasn't immediately clear whether he viewed his potential conflict as one stemming from jurisdiction or from the fact that Albemarle police have charged him with forcible sodomy.</p>
<p>A special prosecutor has been named to pursue the charge levied under an investigation headed by Albemarle officer T.L. Walls. Arrested October 18 for an incident that allegedly occurred on October 4, Dumler is free on $50,000 bail.</p>
<p>Perhaps the biggest news of the day was a financial report that the county showed a larger-than-budgeted bottom line for the 2012 fiscal year: $7,793,026, which was 3.6 percent of the whole budget. Although she didn't use the word "profit" (perhaps because the money will get directed to capital expenditures like the aforementioned shooting range), county spokesperson Lee Catlin noted in a release that this "excess" is the result of "aggressive" delinquent tax collections that increased county revenue beyond budget expectations, coupled with savings stemming largely from unfilled positions.</p>
<p><em>&#8211;story updated with budget surplus at 4:03pm</em></p>
http://www.readthehook.com/108729/dumler-back-action#comments_BreakingNewsFeaturedSnap o' the DaySnap o' the Day STORYAlbemarle Board of SupervisorsChristopher DumlerNewsWed, 07 Nov 2012 16:50:04 +0000lisa108729 at http://www.readthehook.comAnother arrest: Dem vice-chair charged with DUIhttp://www.readthehook.com/108681/another-arrest-dem-vice-chair-charged-dui
<p>It's been a bad two weeks for Albemarle Democrats. On October 18, Supervisor Christopher Dumler was arrested for forcible sodomy. And on October 28, Cynthia Neff, the party's vice chair&#8211; and the woman who put up her house as collateral to post a $50,000 bond for Dumler&#8211; was arrested for driving under the influence.</p>
<p>Neff had almost reached her home in the northern part of Albemarle County near U.S. 29. This resident of the 3700 block of Pritchett Lane was pulled over early Sunday morning in the 3600 block. With a fanciful decoration around one eye, the 61-year-old appears to have been celebrating Halloween a few days early.</p>
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<p>According to a release, an Albemarle police officer observed her drive erratically on U.S. 29 and followed. When he noticed an odor of alcohol, Neff was given and allegedly failed a field sobriety test. She was arrested and later released from Albemarle Charlottesville Regional Jail on her own recognizance, according to court documents, which list James A. Herring as the arresting officer.</p>
<p>Police have declined to release Neff's blood alcohol level.</p>
<p>Since retiring to Albemarle, the former IBM executive has been active in the community&#8211; including serving as president of the board of ASG, the local AIDS/HIV services group. However, the public may best know her from her political efforts which, most recently, include helping launch a political action committee, called Women’s Strike Force, to fight a "legislative assault on women" after this year's controversial law mandating pre-abortion medical testing.</p>
<p>In 2009, Neff challenged Delegate Rob Bell for the 58th District seat to the General Assembly but garnered only 33 percent of the vote. In 2011, she tried again for office by challenging Ken Boyd for the Rivanna seat on the Board of Supervisors, yet mustered only 43 percent of ballots cast in the race. It was that same election when then 26-year-old Dumler won the Scottsville seat on the Board of Supervisors.</p>
<p>In recent years, Virginia legislators have increased the penalties for driving while intoxicated. This year, all members of the local delegation to the General Assembly voted for the latest: a requirement that even first-time offenders install an ignition interlock to get a restricted license and operate a vehicle.</p>
<p>Neff did not return phone calls from the <em>Hook</em>. Nor did Albemarle Democratic chair Valerie L'Herrou. Neff is scheduled to be in court November 5.</p>
http://www.readthehook.com/108681/another-arrest-dem-vice-chair-charged-dui#comments_BreakingNewsFeaturedCrime/JusticeGovt/Politicsalbemarle democratsChristopher Dumlercynthia neffNewsMon, 29 Oct 2012 16:20:59 +0000lisa108681 at http://www.readthehook.comBreaking silence: Dumler to fight charge, stay on Boardhttp://www.readthehook.com/108624/breaking-silence-dumler-fight-charge-stay-board
<p>Breaking a self-imposed silence, but speaking only through a brief publicist's statement, embattled Albemarle County Supervisor Christopher Dumler vows to stay on the Board and fight the forcible sodomy charge that sent him to jail for two nights.</p>
<div class="sidebar">
<h2>Previously:</h2>
<p><a href="http://www.readthehook.com/108293/dumler-arrested-county-supervisor-charged-sodomy">Dumler arrested: County Supervisor charged with forcible sodomy</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.readthehook.com/108359/bail-set-dumler-must-raise-50k-and-forfeit-alcohol">Bail set: Dumler must raise $50K and forfeit alcohol</a></p>
</div>
<p>"I intend to plead not guilty to the charge against me and will offer a vigorous defense," Dumler says in a statement released October 25 by the Payne Ross advertising/public relations agency, which declined to expand on the 123-word release.</p>
<p>Asserting that he intends to "allow the legal process to work," the Dumler statement asserts that while he'll recuse himself from any upcoming votes that could pose a conflict of interest, he will not resign from the Board. He also says he has faith in the American justice system and hasn't tampered with it.</p>
<p>"I have neither requested nor been given special treatment by the officers of the court, city or county officials or law enforcement," Dumler says in the statement.</p>
<p>The 27-year-old lawyer/legislator was arrested on the morning of October 18 and charged with a single count of forcible sodomy, a crime that like other forms of what is widely called rape, is punishable by a minimum five-year prison sentence. Investigators have issued little information on their investigation, other than to confirm that the alleged offense against a woman occurred on October 4.</p>
<p>As news of the arrest reverberated through the County, allegations about the supervisor's behavior began lighting up comment boards at various news sites.</p>
<p>"That's to be expected given the high-profile of the accused," says <em>Hook</em> legal analyst David Heilberg. "There are rumors out there."</p>
<p>Heilberg says, however, that the only thing that will matter to prosecutors is what took place during the incident in question.</p>
<p>"That's the only thing that matters," says Heilberg. "The rest of this stuff is noise. None of it's relevant."</p>
<p>On Wednesday, a day before Dumler's statement, County spokesperson Lee Catlin revealed that Dumler was canceling that evening's town hall meeting with constituents as well as one slated for that Saturday. Asked about Dumler's status, Catlin notes that, other than resignation, state code provides that a Supervisor may be removed from office after all appeals have been exhausted following a felony conviction.</p>
<p>"Obviously, there's a lot of concern," says Catlin, noting that she had no information on whether Dumler would attend the next Board meeting which is slated for November 7. "The Board," she says, "remains focused on doing the best for Albemarle County."</p>
<p><em>&#8211;developing story; last updated (with Heilberg's comment) at 2:14pm on Tuesday the 25th&#8211;-</em></p>
http://www.readthehook.com/108624/breaking-silence-dumler-fight-charge-stay-board#comments_BreakingNewsFeaturedChristopher DumlerNewsThu, 25 Oct 2012 15:17:50 +0000hawes108624 at http://www.readthehook.comBail set: Dumler must raise $50K and forfeit alcoholhttp://www.readthehook.com/108359/bail-set-dumler-must-raise-50k-and-forfeit-alcohol
<p>As he did a day earlier, County Supervisor-turned-felony arrestee Christopher Dumler shifted uneasily in his chair and mustered an approximation of a smile as he stared into a video camera at the Albemarle Charlottesville Regional Jail to hear whether he'd win bail in General District Court. Judge William Barkley was presented an agreement by defense and prosecution to let Dumler go free on a $50,000 secured bond.</p>
<div class="sidebar">
<h2>Previously:</h2>
<p><a href="http://www.readthehook.com/108293/dumler-arrested-county-supervisor-charged-sodomy">Dumler arrested: County Supervisor charged with forcible sodomy</a></p>
</div>
<p>Appearing unshaven and dressed in a striped jailhouse jumpsuit, instead of the slacks and blazers that are the 27-year-old lawyer/legislator's usual attire, Dumler began the October 19 hearing looking down. However, he concluded by holding his chin high while still seeming uncomfortable nearly 35 hours after his arrest on a forcible sodomy charge.</p>
<p>"The court's going to accept the agreement," said Judge Barkley, ticking off the list of conditions under which Dumler can go free: no alcohol consumption, no leaving the state without permission, no possession of a firearm (including turning in his concealed weapon permit), and no contact with the alleged victim or her family.</p>
<p>Court records indicate that the woman, identified on the arrest warrant only by her initials, has essentially asserted that Dumler raped her anally. It's a charge that just doesn't resonate with at least one of Dumler's friends.</p>
<p>Chris Kyle, the lead owner of a new Scottsville brewery that opened in September and where Dumler recently participated in a charity bartender event, says that Dumler is one of James River Brewing's 38 shareholders and that nothing about the allegation matches Dumler's track record of professional work and community service.</p>
<p>"He's done a lot of good down here," says Kyle, a rising vice-president of Scottsville's chamber of commerce who attended the Friday morning bail hearing in downtown Charlottesville.</p>
<p>"This is not the Chris that I know," says Kyle, nodding as some of Dumler's accomplishments&#8211; lawyer, Eagle Scout, Army Reservist, volunteer firefighter, as well as recently-elected member of Albemarle's six-member governing board&#8211; are mentioned.</p>
<p>In court on October 19, the two legal teams in the case were revealed. Andrew Sneathern is representing Dumler, while Fluvanna County Commonwealth's Attorney Jeff Haislip has been tapped to prosecute.</p>
<p>"My main goal, since I've only been involved for 24 hours, is to meet with investigators and meet with the victim," Haislip said after the conclusion of the brief hearing. Sneathern walked away without answering any questions.</p>
<p>Virginia law <a href="http://vacode.org/18.2-67.1/">criminalizes forcible sodomy</a> the same way it criminalizes vaginal rape: with a five-year minimum prison term.</p>
<p>The court set a preliminary hearing for December 13.</p>
<p>"Let's wait and see what happens," says Dumler's friend Kyle. "We'll have to see how the facts fall."</p>
<p>&#8211;</p>
<p>Avoiding any discussion of the criminal charges facing her friend and political ally, political operative Cynthia Neff explains why she put her house up as security to get arrested Albemarle County Supervisor Christopher Dumler out of jail. She says she wants Dumler to get back to work on County issues, as well as at his legal practice.</p>
<p>"Chris doesn't make much money," says Neff, "and I just didn't think sitting in jail was the right answer."</p>
<p><em>&#8211;story updated at 11:35am on October 23</em></p>
http://www.readthehook.com/108359/bail-set-dumler-must-raise-50k-and-forfeit-alcohol#comments_BreakingNewsFeaturedChristopher DumlerNewsFri, 19 Oct 2012 17:05:41 +0000hawes108359 at http://www.readthehook.comJefferson Street at 8:29amhttp://www.readthehook.com/108301/jefferson-street-829am
<p>This is how the street in front of the Albemarle County Courthouse looked at 8:29 this morning, as a reporter waited for the clerk's office to open (to examine a high-profile arrest record).</p>
http://www.readthehook.com/108301/jefferson-street-829am#comments_BreakingNewsSnap o' the DayChristopher DumlerOnline onlyThu, 18 Oct 2012 15:27:51 +0000hawes108301 at http://www.readthehook.comDumler arrested: County Supervisor charged with forcible sodomyhttp://www.readthehook.com/108293/dumler-arrested-county-supervisor-charged-sodomy
<p>Self-employed lawyer and Albemarle County supervisor Christopher J. Dumler has been jailed and charged with sexual assault and felony forcible sodomy over an allegation that he performed anal intercourse "against the victim's will by force, threat, or intimidation," according to his October 18 arrest warrant.</p>
<p>The incident occurred October 4, according to the warrant, and courtroom testimony indicates that the victim is female.</p>
<p>At a bail hearing in Albemarle General District Court Thursday morning, the 27-year-old Dumler was seen on live-video. Sitting in a chair dressed in the gray-and-white prison uniform of the Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail where he was incarcerated shortly after midnight, Dumler appeared calm and respectful to Judge William G. Barkley.</p>
<p>Because he is an elected official in Albemarle, Charlottesville Commonwealth's Attorney Dave Chapman has been tapped to prosecute, and Chapman seemed caught off guard.</p>
<p>"I have not yet even read the arrest report," said Chapman. "I have received an oral report from the officer."</p>
<p>Judge Barkley responded that the felony allegation carries a presumption against bail and directed Dumler&#8211; who didn't point out that he's a member in good standing of the Virginia bar&#8211; to hire a lawyer and seek another hearing as early as Thursday afternoon.</p>
<p>"Yes, your honor," Dumler replied.</p>
<p>Chapman passed a phalanx of media outside the courthouse downtown without responding to questions.</p>
<p>A Democrat, Dumler won the Scottsville-area seat long held by fellow Democrat Lindsay Dorrier by defeating Republican Jim Norwood in 2011. According to a source familiar with County government, Dumler cannot be removed from his position on the six-person governing body without his own resignation or without a criminal conviction.</p>
<p>Dumler appears to be a stranger to a life of crime. A volunteer firefighter and an Eagle Scout, he serves as a captain in the reserve division of the U.S. Army's Judge Advocate General Corps. Shortly before his election last November, he hiked the path of the proposed Western Bypass in an effort to highlight his opposition to the controversial road.</p>
<p><em>Hook</em> legal analyst David Heilberg says that while the burden of securing bail in such a serious case as Dumler's falls on the defendant, it may not be impossible for Dumler to secure it.</p>
<p>"A pure he said/she said with someone who had otherwise led a clean life up until that point should be able to overcome the presumption," said Heilberg, though he cautioned that he and most others remain completely unaware of the state's evidence. "Because there's a presumption, they don't have to tell you much about the underlying facts."</p>
<p>Heilberg also asserts that Chapman will probably step aside.</p>
<p>"The local prosecutors will have conflicts of interest," says Heilberg. "They'll probably want to bring in a prosecutor from outside the area."</p>
<p>According to <a href="http://christopherdumler.com/">his blog</a>, Dumler participated in a charity event last month at a new brewery in Scottsville in which he directed that the proceeds from his pours go to the charity of his choice. He chose SARA, the Sexual Assault Resource Agency.</p>
<p><em>&#8211;developing story: updated at 9:50am, Thursday, October 18 and again at 4:36pm after adding Heilberg's comments and changing mentions of "bond" to "bail"<br /></em></p>
http://www.readthehook.com/108293/dumler-arrested-county-supervisor-charged-sodomy#comments_BreakingNewsFeaturedChristopher DumlerNewsThu, 18 Oct 2012 13:00:54 +0000hawes108293 at http://www.readthehook.com